Sunday, April 16, 2006
Puno
Good Friday
Left Cusco and long bus trip to Puno. First stop was a cathedral at Andahuaylillas which had been built by a local who was interested in comverting people to Christianity with an Incan Mix. Then onto Instituto Nacional de Cultura Departamental Cusco. Nearly didn´t go in here but it was well worth it. A huge temple to the Creater God. This temple was pretty run down but at one stage was the tallest building in South America. There were many circular store rooms here as well. Man was it hot though - the sun was really burning. Gotta love the Sun though.
Next we went to feed the llamas. There was also a shop that created it´s on jewelery. Got to see the workbench and the primitive tools that were used to create some stunning pieces. Then off for lunch - because it was Good Friday we were going to be eating vegetarian. However the last few tour buses had complained that there was no meat so we got chicken and beef. The chicken was superb - our lucky day. Then onto the bus and we cruised up to a pass that was around 4330m high. Here we had a view of the Incas Scred Snow mountain. The police also had oxygen at the ready at the pass for any unwell tourist. Classic. It was very much like the Lindis Pass in Otago but higher and larger. Some of the mountians in the distance were upto 5600 m high. There were also some very localised snow showers going through and the temperature had cooled down significantly. Also interesting the difference in road quality between Cusco valley (very touristy = superb roads) to high plain = bumpy. Just cruised through the plains admirring the scenary and wishing I was on a bike. Cycyletouring would be superb thru here. Then we made it to Julica. This is famous for it´s black market and wasn´t really tourist friendly as we were given the bird by the locals. I was glad to be staying in Puno. This was about an hour away and on Lake Titikaka. We were staying at 3800m and people were feeling the altitude. About 300,000 inhabitants here. Then off for a meal - great restaurant and the best band so far. But o so loud.
Saturday
Out on the Lake today to see the Reed Islands. There is this lovely green algae that sits on the top of the lake but the reeds filter it out so that the Udos people can live here. They originally lived on the land however the Incas came and busted them over. As they were the only ones with boats they fled to the island. Here they fish for 18 varieties of fish and live on islands with a base of 2m entirely made of reeds. The reeds are also eaten, used as fuel, boat construction. About 3000 people live on the islands. The locals were impressed by a Haka ably lead by Jerry. Great that we have someone who has the skills to lead it. Just needs a bit more practice. Eventually cruised back into Puno to use up our last sol. Off to Bolivia and copacabana after lunch. The group is all in good spirits and no major health issues so far.
Left Cusco and long bus trip to Puno. First stop was a cathedral at Andahuaylillas which had been built by a local who was interested in comverting people to Christianity with an Incan Mix. Then onto Instituto Nacional de Cultura Departamental Cusco. Nearly didn´t go in here but it was well worth it. A huge temple to the Creater God. This temple was pretty run down but at one stage was the tallest building in South America. There were many circular store rooms here as well. Man was it hot though - the sun was really burning. Gotta love the Sun though.
Next we went to feed the llamas. There was also a shop that created it´s on jewelery. Got to see the workbench and the primitive tools that were used to create some stunning pieces. Then off for lunch - because it was Good Friday we were going to be eating vegetarian. However the last few tour buses had complained that there was no meat so we got chicken and beef. The chicken was superb - our lucky day. Then onto the bus and we cruised up to a pass that was around 4330m high. Here we had a view of the Incas Scred Snow mountain. The police also had oxygen at the ready at the pass for any unwell tourist. Classic. It was very much like the Lindis Pass in Otago but higher and larger. Some of the mountians in the distance were upto 5600 m high. There were also some very localised snow showers going through and the temperature had cooled down significantly. Also interesting the difference in road quality between Cusco valley (very touristy = superb roads) to high plain = bumpy. Just cruised through the plains admirring the scenary and wishing I was on a bike. Cycyletouring would be superb thru here. Then we made it to Julica. This is famous for it´s black market and wasn´t really tourist friendly as we were given the bird by the locals. I was glad to be staying in Puno. This was about an hour away and on Lake Titikaka. We were staying at 3800m and people were feeling the altitude. About 300,000 inhabitants here. Then off for a meal - great restaurant and the best band so far. But o so loud.
Saturday
Out on the Lake today to see the Reed Islands. There is this lovely green algae that sits on the top of the lake but the reeds filter it out so that the Udos people can live here. They originally lived on the land however the Incas came and busted them over. As they were the only ones with boats they fled to the island. Here they fish for 18 varieties of fish and live on islands with a base of 2m entirely made of reeds. The reeds are also eaten, used as fuel, boat construction. About 3000 people live on the islands. The locals were impressed by a Haka ably lead by Jerry. Great that we have someone who has the skills to lead it. Just needs a bit more practice. Eventually cruised back into Puno to use up our last sol. Off to Bolivia and copacabana after lunch. The group is all in good spirits and no major health issues so far.
# posted by Greg @ 5:48 AM 
